Tripp
Charles Hutchinson
Independent candidate Tripp Charles Hutchinson challenges incumbent Mike Simpson in Idaho's 2nd Congressional District (2026).
- sources
- 7
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Tripp Charles Hutchinson is an independent candidate challenging incumbent Republican U.S. Representative Mike Simpson in Idaho's 2nd Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 election. The Federal Election Commission lists him as an independent challenger. 19
Hutchinson is a born-and-raised Ketchum, Idaho local who currently serves on the Ketchum City Council, a seat he won in November 2023 and began serving in January 2024, with a term running through January 2028. 14 Before his council role, he worked as director of programming at Merlin's Magic Lantern, a locally owned movie theater in Ketchum, from August 2024 to June 2026. [14, 16]
He was educated at several institutions including Phillips Academy Andover, Cheshire Academy, and the University of Colorado Boulder, where he studied finance and political theory and philosophy. [14, 16] His campaign website describes him as a Ketchum councilman running for U.S. Congress. 8
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 2, Idaho
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Ketchum City Council member
- Website
- votefortripp.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Sep 30newsVoter guide publishes Hutchinson's policy priorities including term limits and drug-price negotiation
A KREM voter-guide article listed priorities attributed to Hutchinson including congressional term limits, a ban on congressional stock trading, Medicare drug-price negotiation, paid family leave, right to repair, data privacy, and restrictions on corporate purchases of single-family homes. The Idaho Voter Guide also noted platform proposals including a Pentagon audit, a ban on corporate PACs, and overturning Citizens United.
Who is running for U.S. House of Representatives, Idaho's 2nd District? · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24filingIdaho certifies Hutchinson on the general-election ballot for District 2
A candidate-tracking page reported that Idaho's certified candidate list includes Tripp Charles Hutchinson as an independent for the 2nd Congressional District, with the general election set for November 3, 2026.
Tripp Charles Hutchinson (I) — U.S. Representative, ID-02 · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18newsHutchinson calls for antitrust enforcement, single-payer health care, and opposing land transfers
In an Idaho State Journal report on District 2 challengers, Hutchinson cited a 'cost of living crisis for the working people of Ketchum' and Blaine County. He called for stronger antitrust enforcement against pharmaceutical and insurance companies, expressed support for a single-payer system, and opposed transferring federal public lands to state ownership or management.
Idaho District 2 congressional candidates say they're worried about ... · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 1filingFEC quarterly report shows Hutchinson raised $7,565 through June 30
Hutchinson's July quarterly FEC report showed $7,565 in receipts, $1,578.36 in disbursements, $6,963.48 cash on hand, and no debts through June 30. Four individual contributors were listed; Robert Brennan of Sun Valley gave $5,000 in two entries.
Tripp Charles Hutchinson - 2026 Idaho Voter Guide · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Feb 25filingHutchinson files as independent candidate for Idaho's 2nd Congressional District
The Idaho Voter Guide reports that Tripp Charles Hutchinson filed as an independent candidate for Idaho's 2nd Congressional District and that his filing was approved. He had no primary contest.
Tripp Charles Hutchinson - 2026 Idaho Voter Guide · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $7,565
- Spent
- $1,578
- Cash on hand
- $6,963
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6ID02241(opens in a new tab)
Sources 7
- [1] Tripp Hutchinson | United States Congress Boise, ID(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [2] Tripp Charles Hutchinson - 2026 Idaho Voter Guide(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [3] Who is running for U.S. House of Representatives, Idaho's 2nd District?(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [4] Tripp Charles Hutchinson (I) — U.S. Representative, ID-02(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [5] Idaho District 2 congressional candidates say they're worried about ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [6] 2026 general election survey: U.S. House of Representatives District 2(opens in a new tab) Aug 24, 2026
- [7] Tripp Charles Hutchinson's Post(opens in a new tab) Jun 15, 2026